"I came out and just kind of yelled at him and he looked at me, and it was time to go," Belak said. "My job is protect players like Kabby. He's not expected to go out there and fight. That's my job and I'm fine doing it."

Ought to buy him and his coach a suspension. Great example for the kids.

awesome, part of why i love hockey.

all of why you are about everything that is bad about a great game. You must be a trip in your HS cafeteria.

Kyle Wellwood and Nik Antropov scored, and enforcer Wade Belak got retribution for Toronto by fighting New Jersey's Cam Janssen in the Maple Leafs' 2-1 win over the Devils on Tuesday night.

The last time the teams played on March 2 at New Jersey, All-Star Maple Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle sustained a concussion after a late hit from Janssen, who was suspended for three games.

Kaberle practiced Monday for the first time since the hit, but missed his eighth straight.

Fans booed Janssen when he stepped on the ice for his first shift and after he sent Yanic Perreault into the boards with a crushing check. Belak and Janssen immediately dropped their gloves at the start of Janssen's second shift.

Belak landing several punches before Janssen connected at center ice. Fans chanted 'Belak!' Belak!' throughout the long bout.

"I came out and just kind of yelled at him and he looked at me, and it was time to go," Belak said. "My job is protect players like Kabby. He's not expected to go out there and fight. That's my job and I'm fine doing it."

Andrew Raycroft made 24 saves for the Leafs, who moved into a tie for eighth in the Eastern Conference with Carolina and Montreal.

Toronto captain Mats Sundin called it an "unbelievable fight."

"We lose one of our best players during this time of the season. I thought it was the appropriate thing to do and he did a great job," Sundin said.

Travis Zajac scored for the Atlantic Division-leading Devils, who have lost four of five.

Devils goalie Martin Brodeur gave Janssen credit for fighting.

"He's a great kid. He doesn't mean to hurt anybody. He plays his game. He was dealt with a certain talent and that's what he does," Brodeur said. "He felt really bad for what happened to Kaberle. He's been waiting for this for a long time. He knew he had to face the music and he did it like a man, that's good."

New Jersey's Jay Pandolfo lost the puck on a breakaway, and the Leafs brought it back up ice. Mats Sundin made a drop pass to Wellwood, whose one-timer gave Toronto a 1-0 lead at 18:33 of the first.

Sundin recorded his 900th Toronto point with his second assist. Sundin failed to score on a wraparound, but Antropov put in the rebound at 6:01 of the third.

Just 48 seconds later, Zajac cut it to 2-1 by scoring on a rebound.

The Devils pulled Brodeur for an extra skater with 34 seconds left, but failed to net the tying goal.

Obviously, the players in the NHL are not upset with fighting being part of the game.

Nor are the fans. Or so it seems. Did you see them after this fight. Everybody was going nuts. Yet two nights later when Todd Fedoruk or last night when Jon Sim get KO'd everyone jumps back on the fighting is bad bandwagon. What a bunch of bloody hypocrites. Make your mind up people.

As for Belak. He kills me really. The night before the game they're all going on about how they're not going too pay attention too a guy (Janssen) who only plays a minute and half a game,Belak included. Yet the first shift Janssen is on the ice what does Belak do. Goes right after him and now is a bloody hero in hockey for Toronto. What a tool.

I'm going too try and find a Letter Of The Day from the Toronto Sun written by someone about fighting. I don't think anyone could have said anything better than this guy.

George I'd of given someone who has been around like you to be a lot more mature and sensible than what you have shown in this thread. Just looking at your childish behaviour towards someone significantly younger than you , all because he disagrees with what you say, really made me laugh at how pathetic you are. Thats not on man at all.

P.S. Heres the link too the article in the sun. Couldn't have said it any better myself

Nor are the fans. Or so it seems. Did you see them after this fight. Everybody was going nuts. Yet two nights later when Todd Fedoruk or last night when Jon Sim get KO'd everyone jumps back on the fighting is bad bandwagon. What a bunch of bloody hypocrites. Make your mind up people.

As for Belak. He kills me really. The night before the game they're all going on about how they're not going too pay attention too a guy (Janssen) who only plays a minute and half a game,Belak included. Yet the first shift Janssen is on the ice what does Belak do. Goes right after him and now is a bloody hero in hockey for Toronto. What a tool.

I'm going too try and find a Letter Of The Day from the Toronto Sun written by someone about fighting. I don't think anyone could have said anything better than this guy.

George I'd of given someone who has been around like you to be a lot more mature and sensible than what you have shown in this thread. Just looking at your childish behaviour towards someone significantly younger than you , all because he disagrees with what you say, really made me laugh at how pathetic you are. Thats not on man at all.

P.S. Heres the link too the article in the sun. Couldn't have said it any better myself

As far as your example of the fans, certainly you are old enough to remember Roller Derby and pre-WWE professional wrestling, aren't you? The fans went wild watching that, too. It was as fake and as pointless as can be. Pro hockey is heading in that direction.

Right after the strike, fighting was almost non-existent. With the rule changes like getting rid of the red line, banning the trap and cracking down on the holding and grabbing, the game was fast and was very appealing to the fans. Did the fans complain that there was a lack of fighting? Did any attendance drop relate to the lack of fighting? No.

The NHL found out just how easy it is to do without them. They should take a lesson.

The other night, there was a fight between Colton Orr and Todd Fedoruk. The fight occurred 21 seconds into the game. The replay shows Orr tapping Fedoruk on the leg and nodding his head. Off they go. They were basically holding on for like 20 seconds when the officials could have stepped in. There was a report that the players asked to officials to let it go. Well, Fedoruk takes one shot to the side of the head and goes down unconscious (Note to Fedoruk: You do not have a clue how to fight). He is carried off on a stretcher.

This is a TSN clip that features Tie Domi, Mike Kennan and Bob MacKenzie talking about fighting and the future of hockey. I will admit that Tie Domi's credibility in this area is lacking, but he certainly has knowledge of the subject. His point, surprisingly eloquently stated, is that the NHL needs to crack down on the violence before a player is killed. Keenan agrees with him. So do I. If a player got killed during a hockey fight, the NHL would be done. Overnight.

A true hockey fan cannot tell me that watching a fight filled, chippy hockey game is better than watching a fast game with lots of passing and good defense and, yes, hard-hitting. Hard-hitting and "rouchness" is a necessary and enjoyable part of the game. Fighting and violence is not.

As far as your example of the fans, certainly you are old enough to remember Roller Derby and pre-WWE professional wrestling, aren't you? The fans went wild watching that, too. It was as fake and as pointless as can be. Pro hockey is heading in that direction.

Right after the strike, fighting was almost non-existent. With the rule changes like getting rid of the red line, banning the trap and cracking down on the holding and grabbing, the game was fast and was very appealing to the fans. Did the fans complain that there was a lack of fighting? Did any attendance drop relate to the lack of fighting? No.

The NHL found out just how easy it is to do without them. They should take a lesson.

The other night, there was a fight between Colton Orr and Todd Fedoruk. The fight occurred 21 seconds into the game. The replay shows Orr tapping Fedoruk on the leg and nodding his head. Off they go. They were basically holding on for like 20 seconds when the officials could have stepped in. There was a report that the players asked to officials to let it go. Well, Fedoruk takes one shot to the side of the head and goes down unconscious (Note to Fedoruk: You do not have a clue how to fight). He is carried off on a stretcher.

This is a TSN clip that features Tie Domi, Mike Kennan and Bob MacKenzie talking about fighting and the future of hockey. I will admit that Tie Domi's credibility in this area is lacking, but he certainly has knowledge of the subject. His point, surprisingly eloquently stated, is that the NHL needs to crack down on the violence before a player is killed. Keenan agrees with him. So do I. If a player got killed during a hockey fight, the NHL would be done. Overnight.

A true hockey fan cannot tell me that watching a fight filled, chippy hockey game is better than watching a fast game with lots of passing and good defense and, yes, hard-hitting. Hard-hitting and "rouchness" is a necessary and enjoyable part of the game. Fighting and violence is not.

I'm not saying,nor have I ever said I enjoy seeing a fight filled hockey game. A good scrap in a game isn't always a bad thing though. I love every aspect of the game,including the odd fights. The only time you ever really see more than one fight in a game now is if someone gets hurt. Prime example is the Colton Orr and Todd Fedoruk. Orr catches em with a good right, Fedoruk goes down. Next time Orr is on the ice Ben Eager felt he needed too stick up for his teammate(although I don't know why) and they went again. Those are really the only times you ever see more than a fight a game,if theres even one fight. Stupid stuff happens,your going too see more fights. Now that fight in a sense could be blamed on the coaches as well. Both coaches knew damn well when they put Orr and Fedoruk on the ice together they weren't going too line up and ask each other over for a cup of tea later.

I agree with you George(suprisingly eh) that post lock out that was very good hockey, even with the lack of fighting. But it is still good hockey even with fighting. Look at the Buffalo and Washington game the other night. Some amazing plays,highlight reel goals, and a good fight betweem Donald Brashear and Andrew Peters. Nobody got hurt. Everyone went home.

Some fights you'll never stop. Its enforcer vs enforcer,it's known this fight will happen before the game is even started. It's what they do. But personally I think the major influx can be blamed on the refs as well. When did all this fighting really start up again. When the refs started too slack off on making minor calls like high sticks,slashes.Beleive me nothing ****es someone off more than getting sticked in the face with a half or no visor, so what do they do, they retaliate. Then someone gets hurt. Then the enforcer comes out and the broohaha is on. Then the other teams enforcer sticks up for him. Its a vicious circle I've gotten caught in myself before. Same with things like hitting from behind,boarding and stuff like that. I notice guys getting away with a lot of boarder line if not glaringly obvious penaltys. Same deal. Someone gets hurt because of it, so enforcer goes out and trims em. If refs cracked down on this stuff I think you'd see fighting go down. Until they do,people are going too keep getting hurt, people will continue too do stupid things like Simon or Jordan Tootoo(although I stick up for Tootoo all the way,any person would have done that) and fighting will stay on the rise.

First of all, hockey is my cup of tea. Has been since I saw my first NHL game in the old Madison Square Garden when I was 5. Montreal 4 Rangers 0. That was over 40 years ago.

Second of all, the solution to a lot of this crap is right in your post. The so-called enforcer. Why is an "enforcer" necessary? I know. To protect the "star players". From what? I know. Injury.

BS!

The only thing they are protecting the star players from is taking a penalty. Are you telling me that Crosby can't handle himself? Jagr can't handle himself? C'mon. Handle your scraps yourself or get out. For God's sake, Crosby is bigger, younger and faster than 90% of the guys out there.

I do 100% agree with you on two counts.

1. This crap started up again when the refs backed off
2. The coaches are every bit to blame.

First of all, hockey is my cup of tea. Has been since I saw my first NHL game in the old Madison Square Garden when I was 5. Montreal 4 Rangers 0. That was over 40 years ago.

Second of all, the solution to a lot of this crap is right in your post. The so-called enforcer. Why is an "enforcer" necessary? I know. To protect the "star players". From what? I know. Injury.

BS!

The only thing they are protecting the star players from is taking a penalty. Are you telling me that Crosby can't handle himself? Jagr can't handle himself? C'mon. Handle your scraps yourself or get out. For God's sake, Crosby is bigger, younger and faster than 90% of the guys out there.

I do 100% agree with you on two counts.

1. This crap started up again when the refs backed off
2. The coaches are every bit to blame.

Crosby...HAHAHAHA. Are you kidding me.That kid is the biggest cry baby on the face of the earth. I played against him when he played for the Dartmouth Midget AAA Subways. That kid had a guy looking after him in Midget for frig sakes. He's never had to fight his own battles nor will he ever. Crosby would just as soon sit there and jaw at you to get you going then skate away or slash you across the wrists than drop the gloves. If crosby dropped the gloves with Derek Boogard his face would be broken in about 16 spots. Sure he's strong as an ox,I know first hand, and he's fast but he doesn't even know the first thing about fighting. The season he came into the CHL he had Mark Tobin on his team and what was Tobins sole job. To protect him. Tobin didn't even deserve too play in the Q but he was there for that reason. So why do stars not fight? Simple they can't and they would be anihalted

In your 40 years I don't know what sort of Hockey levels you played in but it's obviously not one where you were I'm going too say legally fight and get away with a 5 minute major and thats it. Theres many purposes too fighting than just two guys going out and chucking knuckles. You'd be surpsied too know the amount of respect hockey fighters have for each other. You can tell when someone isn't a known scrapper because if they both go down the non scrapper will keep hitting him even on the ice. A true fighter will stop. Same if you get injured in a fight i.e. pop out a shoulder, the other guy will know. If he's a true fighter he'll stop. Fights can be used for many things. I know if my team was down a few goals and having a crap game,if I went out and lined up with the other guy he'd know I was just looking too spark my team,surpsing how much a good fight will do that. He knows I would do the same. After the game we'd be chatting in the tunnel. Same as if there is a big brawl in a previous game between two teams for whatever reason the two scappers line up the first faceoff and do their thing. That sends a message too everyone else saying ok this crap is done and overwith,lets play hockey now. So its not just always two guys going out too bust each others faces in. These are all things from Junior ranks, so maybe the NHL'ers should take a bit of lessons from these guys because personally this is how the enforcer role should be. Not some little star player going out and fighting and trying too be the big hero. Leave it too them too take care of this stuff

so what kind of abuse would Gretzky of taken as a young Oiler without Semenko there?

There is a need for enforcers in this game, Crosby is there to score not to fight, although it would be easy for another team to cheap shot him and take him out of the game, or to lure him into a fight and possible mis-conduct, without Crosby the other teams chances of winning go WAY up. Now that Pittsburgh went out and got Georges Laraque, people will have to pay for any cheap shots they take on Crosby, and Crosby will not feel the need to fight for himself and risk getting thrown or injured a la Fetoruk.

Crosby...HAHAHAHA. Are you kidding me.That kid is the biggest cry baby on the face of the earth. I played against him when he played for the Dartmouth Midget AAA Subways. That kid had a guy looking after him in Midget for frig sakes. He's never had to fight his own battles nor will he ever. Crosby would just as soon sit there and jaw at you to get you going then skate away or slash you across the wrists than drop the gloves. If crosby dropped the gloves with Derek Boogard his face would be broken in about 16 spots. Sure he's strong as an ox,I know first hand, and he's fast but he doesn't even know the first thing about fighting. The season he came into the CHL he had Mark Tobin on his team and what was Tobins sole job. To protect him. Tobin didn't even deserve too play in the Q but he was there for that reason. So why do stars not fight? Simple they can't and they would be anihalted

In your 40 years I don't know what sort of Hockey levels you played in but it's obviously not one where you were I'm going too say legally fight and get away with a 5 minute major and thats it. Theres many purposes too fighting than just two guys going out and chucking knuckles. You'd be surpsied too know the amount of respect hockey fighters have for each other. You can tell when someone isn't a known scrapper because if they both go down the non scrapper will keep hitting him even on the ice. A true fighter will stop. Same if you get injured in a fight i.e. pop out a shoulder, the other guy will know. If he's a true fighter he'll stop. Fights can be used for many things. I know if my team was down a few goals and having a crap game,if I went out and lined up with the other guy he'd know I was just looking too spark my team,surpsing how much a good fight will do that. He knows I would do the same. After the game we'd be chatting in the tunnel. Same as if there is a big brawl in a previous game between two teams for whatever reason the two scappers line up the first faceoff and do their thing. That sends a message too everyone else saying ok this crap is done and overwith,lets play hockey now. So its not just always two guys going out too bust each others faces in. These are all things from Junior ranks, so maybe the NHL'ers should take a bit of lessons from these guys because personally this is how the enforcer role should be. Not some little star player going out and fighting and trying too be the big hero. Leave it too them too take care of this stuff

The answer to every scenario and problem you pose is to not fight. Enforcers are generally marginal hockey players. No fighting-they don't make the team. Your star might get a fighting penalty=don't fight. Your star might get hurt-don't fight. If the refs tighten up on the high-sticking and slashing instead of obsessing over the obstruction holding and goaltender interference, there would be a lot less to retaliate over.

I forgot all about this until today. Ever hear of the LNAH??? Probably not if your an american. Its a Semi-Pro league in Quebec and it's pretty much games of hockey that are filled with scraps. And guess what. The seats are NEVER empty in any arena for these games. So you can tell me that fans don't enjoy fighting and fighting doesn't sell

Listen too the fans in this vid. Two good big boys,solid tilt,mutually ended and the players love it and fans are just nuts about it.

Now in Victoria, BC. I'm from beautiful Jasper Alberta in the heart of the Can. Rockies - will always be an Albertan at heart!

Posts

6,329

Update ... well a few days late but an update nonetheless.

Bettman: Fighting part of the game
Gary Bettman

Canadian Press

3/26/2007 6:51:39 PM

TORONTO (CP) - Gary Bettman says fighting is part of hockey and believes that some people have been "running off a little too fast on this topic" in recent days.

"My view on fighting hasn't changed," the NHL commissioner said Monday. "We've never taken active steps or considered eliminating fighting from the game.

"I've always taken the view that it's a part of the game and it rises and lowers based on what the game dictates."

While Bettman seemed OK with the game's current stand on fighting, he is concerned about the larger safety issues that may be involved.

"The discussion that we've been having is about player safety and injuries," said Bettman. "We've had a number of injuries resulting from fighting recently.

"The question is whether or not that's an aberration or whether or not it's something we need to be concerned about."

He's not convinced anything needs to change.

"I think it's premature for anybody to reach any conclusions," Bettman said. "I think the first (thing) is for us to decide whether or not it's an issue, whether or not there needs to be an adjustment. Because there may not be.

"I think people are running off a little too fast on this topic. I know it's an emotional one for a lot of people and it gets a lot of attention, but to have a discussion about whether or not this is an issue is a long way from saying, `Here are the 10 things we need to do."'

The recent touchpoint for debate started with Philadelphia Flyers tough guy Todd Fedoruk being taken off the ice on a stretcher last Wednesday after a fight with Colton Orr of the New York Rangers.

The following day league disciplinarian Colin Campbell told The Canadian Press that it was time to look at fighting in the game.

"I think it's time to ask the question," said Campbell.

That simple comment immediately sent shockwaves through the hockey world, with players, coaches and general managers weighing in on the issue.

Bettman offered his opinion Monday at CBC headquarters after announcing a six-year contract extension on the league's broadcast deal with the network.

He expressed concern over the increasing size of players, citing the example of players who have led the league in fighting majors.

Garry Howatt held that distinction 30 years ago and was five-foot-nine, 175 pounds. Twenty years ago, it was Chris Nilan of the Montreal Canadiens, who was six foot and weighed about 200 pounds.

"Players have gotten bigger," said Bettman. "As a result, we at least have to take a look to see what is the consequence of that on player safety."

Suggestions about ways to increase safety have been wide ranging. While some have called for fighting to be eliminated completely, Fedoruk said he'd like to see tough guys wear protective gloves like mixed martial arts fighters.

Don Cherry, the host of Coach's Corner on Hockey Night in Canada, doesn't believe fighting will ever be banned.

"Gary Bettman and I are great friends," he said. "And we both know that fighting has always been part of the game."

Bettman thinks all relevant parties should be included in the discussion of whether fighting seriously jeopardizes the health of players.

"The PA (players' association) obviously is going to have to be involved," he said. "This is something that's going to have to be discussed with the managers, with the competition committee .. and ultimately the board of governors."

The popularity of fighting is not something that influences Bettman's opinion on its place in the sport.

In fact, the commissioner doesn't think fighting has helped sell the game in non-traditional U.S. hockey markets.

"I've never looked at it that way," said Bettman. "I think fighting has always reached whatever level is appropriate in the game and has been a part of the game. And I don't have a problem with that."

The only thing he's concerned about is the players who make the game what it is.

If fighting is a threat to their safety, that's the only reason he wants to talk about it.

"Nobody wants to see our players injured on a regular basis," said Bettman. "That's the concern."

The stands are usually full at a professional wrestling match, too. The International Fighting League is a popular TV show down here. I fail to see how the people who like to go watch low grade hockey filled with fighting relates to violence in the NHL.

Secondly, if you go back a few posts, someone from up there was talking about what a jerk Bettman was. Now, he condones fighting (because he is desperate for a US TV deal) and all of a sudden he's a hero. Makes sense to me.

The stands are usually full at a professional wrestling match, too. The International Fighting League is a popular TV show down here. I fail to see how the people who like to go watch low grade hockey filled with fighting relates to violence in the NHL.

Secondly, if you go back a few posts, someone from up there was talking about what a jerk Bettman was. Now, he condones fighting (because he is desperate for a US TV deal) and all of a sudden he's a hero. Makes sense to me.

Good point, I was waiting to see if someone picked up on that.

The bottom line for me is that I don't want to see guys like Crosby, Heatley and others fighting. If you remove the enforcer, you have teams putting the tomato cans on the ice with the sole purpose of dragging the stars into the penalty box with them. If you want to see the return of the Broadstreet Bullies era just get rid of the enforcers.

I personally don't want to see Sidney Crosby assaulted by guys like Colton Orr every time he hits the ice. If the refs can't give him space to show his talent then I'm all for George Laroque making that room for him.

The bottom line for me is that I don't want to see guys like Crosby, Heatley and others fighting. If you remove the enforcer, you have teams putting the tomato cans on the ice with the sole purpose of dragging the stars into the penalty box with them. If you want to see the return of the Broadstreet Bullies era just get rid of the enforcers.

I personally don't want to see Sidney Crosby assaulted by guys like Colton Orr every time he hits the ice. If the refs can't give him space to show his talent then I'm all for George Laroque making that room for him.

Several good points. Maybe a possible answer is, along with dumping the enforcers, strenghtening the instigator rule (instead of weakening it) and putting in a major for intentional penalties (kind of like the NBA).